Printing apparatus and printing processing method

ABSTRACT

A printing apparatus determines whether or not a printing job accumulated by a different printing apparatus different in type from the printing apparatus itself is configured to be performed by the printing apparatus, based on at least one determination of a first determination of whether or not the printing job includes a printing setting dependent on a type of apparatus, a second determination relating to processing that rotates a printing image, and a third determination relating to a data format of the printing image.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JPApplication Serial Number 2018-219085, filed Nov. 22, 2018, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus, a printingprocessing method, and the like.

2. Related Art

Techniques in the related art, in which a printing job is shared amongmultiple printing apparatuses that possibly perform communicationthrough a network, are known. In this case, it is possible that aprinting apparatus which is different from a printing apparatus to whichthe printing job is transmitted performs processing that performsprinting on the printing job. Regardless of which printing apparatus theprinting job is transmitted to, it is possible that a user performs theprinting processing in an arbitrary printing apparatus and acquires aresult of the printing, and thus the convenience increases. For example,JP-A-2017-011515 discloses a technique that transmits and receivesprinting data to and from multiple printing apparatuses without using aserver.

When the printing job is shared without using a server system as inJP-A-2017-011515, a transmission source of the printing job is any oneof the printing apparatuses. when multiple printing apparatuses thatshare the printing job, which are different types of printing apparatus,are present in a mixed manner, in some cases, the use of the printingjob accumulated in a given printing apparatus for the printingprocessing in a different printing apparatus does not bring about adesired result. For that reason, it is nor preferable that transmissionand reception of the printing job among different types of apparatusesare approved unconditionally. On the other hand, when the transmissionand reception of the printing job among different types of printingapparatuses are prohibited in the same manner, because the probabilitydecreases that the printing job will be shared, the convenience isreduced.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided aprinting apparatus including: a processor; and a printing section thatperforms printing based on a printing job, in which the processor causesthe printing section to perform the printing on the printing job, theprinting on which is determined as being configured to be performed bythe printing section, among printing jobs accumulated by a differentprinting apparatus different in a type of apparatus from the printingapparatus itself, based on at least one determination of a firstdetermination of whether or not the printing job, accumulated by thedifferent printing apparatus, includes a printing setting dependent onthe type of apparatus, a second determination relating to processingthat rotates a printing image in the printing job accumulated by thedifferent printing apparatus, and a third determination relating to adata format of the printing image in the printing job accumulated by thedifferent printing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configurational example of a printingsystem including a printing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configurational example of theprinting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing processing in the printing system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for describing processing that accumulatesa printing job.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for describing the processing thataccumulates the printing job.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for describing processing that acquiresand displays information relating to the printing job.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for describing the processing that acquiresand displays the information relating to the printing job.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for describing printing processing in afirst embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for describing the processing thatperforms printing on the printing job acquired from a terminalapparatus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for describing the processing that printsthe printing on the printing job acquired from a different printingapparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing processing in the printingapparatus that performs the printing.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for describing different printingprocessing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing the different processing in theprinting apparatus that performs the printing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing printing processing in a secondembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for describing processing in the secondembodiment that determines whether or not the printing is possiblyperformed.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Suitable embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail below. It is noted that the embodiments that will be describedbelow do not impose any improper limitation on the subjects of theinventions claimed in claims and that all configurations described inthe present embodiments are not necessarily indispensable as solutionsaccording to the present disclosure.

1. Systematic Configuration

Configurational examples of a printing apparatus 100 and a printingsystem 10 including the printing apparatus 100 are described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a configurational example of theprinting system 10 in which a printing job is shared among multipleprinting apparatuses 100. In FIG. 1, five printers, the first printer100A to the fifth printer 100E are illustrated as printing apparatuses100, but the number of the printing apparatuses 100 is not limited to 5.

The first printer 100A to the fifth printer 100E are communicative witheach other through a network. The network here may be an internalnetwork such as an intranet and may be a network that uses a publiccommunication line such as the Internet.

A terminal apparatus 200 is an apparatus that transmits the printing jobto a given printing apparatus 100 through the network. The terminalapparatus 200, for example, is a PC, but may be a portable terminalapparatus such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The number of theterminal apparatuses 200 is not limited to 1, and multiple terminalapparatuses 200 may be connected to the network.

FIG. 2 illustrates the configurational example of the printing apparatus100. The printing apparatus 100 includes a processing section 110, acommunication section 120, a storage section 130, a printing section140, and a display section 150. However, the printing apparatus 100 isnot limited to a configuration in FIG. 2, and various modificationimplementations are possible, such as omission of one or several of theconstituent elements and addition of a different constituent element.Furthermore, the printing apparatus 100 may be a multifunctionperipheral (MFP) that has multiple functions including a printingfunction.

The processing section 110 performs control of each section of theprinting apparatus 100. For example, the processing section 110 caninclude multiple central processing units (CPUs), such as a main CPU anda sub-CPU, or can include a micro-processing unit (MPU). The main CPUperforms control of each section of, or general control, of the printingapparatus 100. The sub-CPU, for example, performs various processingoperations for printing. Alternatively, a CPU for communicationprocessing may further be provided.

The processing section 110 is configured with the following hardwarecomponents. The hardware components can include at least one of acircuit that processes a digital signal and a circuit that processes ananalog signal. For example, the hardware component is configured withone or multiple circuit devices that are mounted on a circuit substrate,or with one or multiple circuit elements. One or multiple circuits, forexample, are ICs or the like. One or multiple circuit elements, forexample, are resistors, capacitors or the like.

Furthermore, the processing section 110 may be realized by a processorthat will be described below. The printing apparatus 100 according tothe present embodiment includes a memory in which information is stored,and a processor that operates based on the information stored in thememory. Examples of the information include a program, various pieces ofdata, and the like. The processor includes hardware. It is possiblethat, regarding the processing, various processors, such as a CPU, agraphics processing unit (GPU), and a digital signal processor (DSP).The memory may be a semiconductor memory, such as a static random accessmemory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), be a register,be a magnetic storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and be anoptical storage device, such as an optical disk device. For example, acomputer-readable command is stored in the memory, and the command isexecuted by the processor. Thus, a function of each section of theprinting apparatus 100 is realized as processing. The command here maybe a command in a command set that makes up the program and may be acommand that instructs a hardware circuit of the processor to perform anoperation.

The communication section 120 performs communication with a differentprinting apparatus 100 and the terminal apparatus 200 through thenetwork. The network here can be realized by a wide area network (WAN),a local area network (LAN), or the like, regardless of whether thenetwork is wired or wireless. Specifically, the communication section120 is a chip or a module that performs wired communication or wirelesscommunication.

Various pieces of information, such as data and a program, are stored inthe storage section 130. The processing section 110 or the communicationsection 120, for example, operates with the storage section 130 as aworking area. The storage section 130 may be a semiconductor memory, bea register, be a magnetic memory device, and be an optical storagedevice.

The printing section 140 includes a printing engine. The printing enginehas a mechanical configuration in which image printing is performed on aprinting medium. The printing engine, for example, includes atransportation mechanism, an ink jet type discharge head, and a drivingmechanism for a carriage including the discharge head, and the like. Theprinting engine discharges ink from the discharge head onto the printingmedium that is transported by the transportation mechanism, and thusprints an image on the printing medium. As the printing media, variousmedia can be used, such as a paper sheet and a piece of cloth. It isnoted that a specific configuration of the printing engine is notlimited to that described here as an example and may be one in whichprinting that uses toner is performed using an electrophotographicmethod.

The display section 150 is configured with a display on which variouspieces of information are displayed, and the like. The display section150, for example, is a touch panel and may also serve as an operationinterface through which a user performs an input operation.

The terminal apparatus 200, for example, transmits the printing job to afirst printer 100A. The user who transmits the printing job using theterminal apparatus 200 moves up to a desired printing apparatus 100 andacquires a result of the printing in the printing apparatus 100. Becausethe printing job is shared, the printing apparatus 100 from which theuser acquires the result of the printing is not limited to the firstprinter 100A. It is possible that the user acquires the result of theprinting from an arbitrary printing apparatus 100 that is among thefirst printer 100A to the fifth printer 100E.

A case is considered where, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the user instructsthe second printer 100B to perform printing. The printing instructionhere, for example, a log-in operation or an authentication operationthat will be described below. In a technique in the related art, whichis disclosed in JP-A-2017-011515, the second printer 100B acquires aprinting job from the first printer 100A and then performs processingthat prints the printing job. However, there are problems in terms of aconcern that printing performance of the second printer 100B will not besufficiently brought into play due to a processing capability of thefirst printer 100A and a concern that the second printer 100B will notsuitably perform printing due to types of the first printer 100A and thesecond printer 100B. Each of the two concerns described above will bedescribed below.

First, the problem due to the processing capability of the printingapparatus 100 on the printing job transmission side is described. Inmany cases, the printing apparatus 100 has a lower processing capabilitythan a server system or a PC. When the printing apparatus 100 is under aheavy load, its ability to transfer the printing job reduces as well.For example, in an example in FIG. 1, when a situation is reached wherethe first printer 100A supplies the printing job to a printer other thanthe second printer 100B, a speed of transfer of the printing job fromthe first printer 100A to the second printer 100B decreases. In such acase, the speed of transfer of the printing job is lower than a printingspeed of the second printer 100B, and there is a likelihood that theprinting performance of the second printer 100B will not be brought intoplay to a maximum. For example, the printing speed is expressed with asize of data printable per unit time, and the speed of transfer isexpressed with a size of data transferable per unit time. When printingspeed>speed of transfer, because an actual printing speed is limited bythe speed of transfer, the original printing ability of the secondprinter 100B is not brought into play.

A printing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 1, is a printing apparatus that shares a printing job with adifferent printing apparatus 100. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 2,the printing apparatus 100 includes a communication section 120 thatperforms communication with a different printing apparatus 100, aprocessing section 110 that performs control of the communicationsection 120, a storage section 130 in which the printing job isaccumulated, and a printing section 140 that performs printing based onthe printing job.

A case is considered where the printing job that is not accumulated inthe storage section 130 of the printing apparatus 100, but accumulatedin a different printing apparatus 100 is determined as anexecution-target job. In an example in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus100 is the second printer 100B that performs the printing processing,and a different printing apparatus 100 is the first printer 100A. Inthis case, the processing section 110 acquires the execution-target jobfrom any one of a different printing apparatus 100 that accumulates theexecution-target job, and the terminal apparatus 200 that transmits theexecution-target job to the different printing apparatus 100. Forexample, the second printer 100B acquires the execution-target job fromany one of the first printer 100A and the terminal apparatus 200.

In many cases, the terminal apparatus 200 has a higher processingcapability than the printing apparatus 100. The acquisition of theprinting job from the terminal apparatus 200 is made possible, and thusit is possible that a decrease in the speed of transfer of the printingjob is suppressed and that the printing performance of the printingapparatus 100 is suitably brought into play.

However, in some cases, the terminal apparatus 200 is a hand-portableapparatus, such as a laptop PC or a portable terminal apparatus. Forthat reason, there is a concern that the printing job will betransmitted due to power-off or interruption of communication with thenetwork. For example, a case is considered where the user performs anoperation of transmitting the printing job for printing meetingmaterials from the terminal apparatus 200 to a given printing apparatus100, and where is then the terminal apparatus 200 is released from theconnection to the network. More precisely, an acquisition destination ofthe printing job is limited to the terminal apparatus 200, and thusthere occurs a concern that the printing apparatus 100 will not suitablyacquire the printing job. In this respect, the printing apparatus 100according to the first embodiment sets both of a different printingapparatus 100 that accumulates a printing job and the terminal apparatus200 that is a transmission source of the printing job, to be candidatesfor the acquisition destination of the printing job. If this is done, itis possible that the printing apparatus 100 acquires the printing jobfrom a suitable apparatus, depending on the situation. For example, whenthe terminal apparatus 200 is powered off, it is possible that theprinting job is acquired from the first printer 100A. With a techniqueaccording to the first embodiment, it is possible that the printingapparatus 100 is realized that results from considering both of thespeed and the availability. It is noted that it is thought that a flowfor acquiring the printing job from the terminal apparatus 200 andperforming the printing is the same as that for general printingprocessing. However, processing in the first embodiment is pull-typeprocessing in which the printing apparatus 100, when performing printingprocessing, actively acquires information necessary for the printingprocessing from the terminal apparatus 200. In this respect, theprocessing in the first embodiment is different from the technique inthe related art.

The printing job here refers to a set of pieces of data that are usedwhen the printing apparatus 100 performs one-time printing processing.The printing job includes at least both identification information foruniquely identifying the printing job and printing image data that is atarget to be printed. It is noted that, as will described below withreference to FIG. 4, a printer driver 202 of the terminal apparatus 200may perform processing that converts original data into printing data ina separate format, which is described using a page description language(PDL) or the like. The terminal apparatus 200 accumulates pre-conversionoriginal data. The printing apparatus 100 receives and interpretspost-conversion printing data and then accumulates a result of theinterpretation processing. That is, in some cases, the same printingjobs may be different in data format from each other, depending on thesituation. The printing job in the first embodiment, a secondembodiment, and modification example of these is assumed to includepieces of information in various formats, such as the original data, theprinting data, and the result of processing that interprets the printingdata.

Furthermore, a technique that uses a server system is considered as anexample for comparison with a technique that is illustrated in FIG. 1.In the comparison example, the printing job from the terminal apparatus200 is collected in the server system. The server system transmits theprinting job that corresponds to a user, to the printing apparatus 100from which the user is a printing operation. In this comparativeexample, because the server system that has a higher processingcapability than the printing apparatus 100 is the acquisitiondestination of the printing job, it is difficult for a decrease in thespeed of transfer to occur. However, the comparative example incurscosts for introduction and operation of the server system. Furthermore,when the server system malfunctions, printing cannot be performed in allthe printing apparatuses 100. From this perspective, a system that doesnot include the server system is considered as the printing system 10that includes the printing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment.

Next, a problem that occurs due to types of the printing apparatus 100on the printing job transmission side and the printing apparatus 100 onthe printing performing side is described. In FIG. 1, if all the firstto fifth printers 100A to 100E are of the same type of apparatus, ahardware configuration of the printing apparatus 100, a property of inkor toner to be used, an available printing setting, and the like arecommon. That is, because it is possible that printing jobs that areaccumulated in a given printing apparatus 100 is also used in adifferent printing apparatus 100, the printing job is easy to share.

However, when different types of printing apparatus are present, in somecases, the use of the printing jobs accumulated in the given printingapparatus 100 for the printing processing in a different printingapparatus 100 does not bring about a desired result. That is, there is aconcern that the unconditional approval of the sharing of the printingjob will not bring about a desired result of the printing. On the otherhand, when the sharing of the printing job among different types ofprinting apparatuses 100 is prohibited in the same manner, unsuitableprinting processing can be suppressed from being performed. However,because the probability decreases that the printing job will be shared,the convenience is reduced.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a printing apparatus 100according to the second embodiment is a printing apparatus that shares aprinting job with a different printing apparatus 100. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the printing apparatus 100 includes a communication section 120that performs communication with a different printing apparatus 100, aprocessing section 110 that performs control of the communicationsection 120, a storage section 130 in which the printing job isaccumulated, and a printing section 140 that performs printing based onthe printing job.

The processing section 110 determines whether or not the printingapparatus 100 on the printing performing side, which includes theprocessing section 110, and a different printing apparatus 100 are ofthe same type of apparatus. When it is determined that the two printingapparatuses 100 are not of the same type of apparatus, based on at leastone determination of the following first, second, and thirddeterminations, the processing section 110 determines whether or not theprinting section 140 of a different printing apparatus 100 possiblyperforms printing on the printing job that is accumulated by thedifferent printing apparatus 100. The first determination is adetermination of whether or not the printing job accumulated by adifferent printing apparatus 100 includes a printing setting that isdependent on a type of apparatus. The second determination is adetermination relating to processing that rotates a printing image inthe printing job accumulated by a different printing apparatus 100. Thethird determination is a determination relating to a data format of theprinting image in the printing job accumulated by a different printingapparatus 100.

If this is done, based on a suitable determination condition that isamong the first determination to the third determination, it is possiblethat the printing job is shared among different types of printingapparatuses. That is, while unsuitable printing processing is suppressedfrom being performed, the printing job is set to be shared whenpossible, and thus the convenience is improved.

Furthermore, as described above, a technique that uses a server systemis considered as an example for comparison with the technique that isillustrated in FIG. 1. In this comparative example, because conversionor the like in compliance with a data format matched to the printingapparatus 100 on the printing performing side is possible in the serversystem that is the transmission source of the printing job, cooperationis comparatively easy among different types of printing apparatuses.However, as described above, from the perspective of the costs forintroduction and operation of the server system and the risk ofmalfunction, a system that does not include the server system isconsidered as the printing system 10 that includes the printingapparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

Each of the first embodiment and second embodiment will be describedbelow. Thereafter, several modification implementations that includecombinations of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will bedescribed above.

2. First Embodiment

The first embodiment is described. Specifically, all processingoperation are described, and then each processing operation is describedin detail.

2.1 Flow for Processing

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing processing in the printing system10 including the printing apparatus 100 according to the firstembodiment. When this processing is started, the printing operation isfirst performed in the terminal apparatus 200, and the printing job isaccumulated in the storage section 130 of a given printing apparatus 100(S101). An example will be described where the printing apparatus 100that accumulates the printing job is the first printer 100A.

Next, the user instructs the printing apparatus 100, which is desired toperform printing, to perform the printing. An example is described wherethe printing apparatus 100 that is an entity which performs the printingprocessing is the second printer 100B. Specifically, the user performsauthentication operation in the second printer 100B. The authenticationoperation may be an operation of shading a card reader with a givenauthentication card and may be an operation of inputting pieces ofauthentication information, such as a user ID, a password, and the like,into a touch panel of the second printer 100B. It is possible that theauthentication operation is replaced with the log-in operation. Thesecond printer 100B performs the authentication processing, and, when itis determined that the user is a registered user, proceeds to a specificprocessing relating to the printing. Authentication printing is widelyknown and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted. It is notedthat, when carrying-away, mistaking, or the like of an originaldocument, the authentication printing is desirably performed, but thatthe authentication printing is nor a requirement for configuration inthe present embodiment, and thus omission thereof is possible.

The second printer 100B acquires information relating to the printingjob from a different printing apparatus 100 that possibly performscommunication through the storage section 130 of its own and a network,and displays a job selection screen for selecting the printing job onthe display section 150 (S102). It is noted that at this point, becausethe displaying of the job selection screen is desirable, it is possiblethat the information acquired by the second printer 100B is defined asone piece of information in the printing job. For example, as will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 6, in processing in S102, thereis no need to acquire the printing image data that is a requirement forprinting.

The second printer 100B receives an input, that is, the execution-targetjob that is selected by the user, and thus determines theexecution-target job and performs the processing that prints theexecution-target job (S103). In the first embodiment, the second printer100B acquires the execution-target job, from any one of the firstprinter 100A and the terminal apparatus 200, and performs printing onthe acquired execution-target job.

2.2 Accumulation of Printing Job

Processing that accumulate the printing job that is illustrated in S101in FIG. 3 is described in detail. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram fordescribing the processing that accumulates the printing job. FIG. 5 is asequence diagram for describing a flow for the processing thataccumulates the printing job.

The user performs the printing operation with an application software201 on the terminal apparatus 200 (S201). The application software 201is an arbitrary software that possibly runs on an operating system (OS)of the terminal apparatus 200 and possibly performs the printingoperation. Specifically, the terminal apparatus 200 includes a processorand a memory, which are not illustrated. Then, the application software201 is stored in the memory. The processor operates according to theapplication software 201, and thus functions of the application software201, which include the printing operation, are realized.

Based on the printing operation, the printer driver 202 of the terminalapparatus 200 generates the printing data and retains the generatedprinting data in a spool 204 (S202). The printing data here includesidentification information on the printing job and user informationindicating a user who creates the printing job. The processing thatinterprets the printing data is performed in the first printer 100A, andthus it is possible that the printing data is converted into data thatincludes printing setting information and printing image data.

The printing data that is retained in the spool 204 is transmitted tothe first printer 100A by way of an interface such as a port monitor 205(S203). The spool 204 is a memory of the terminal apparatus 200. Theport monitor 205 is a communication interface for the printing apparatus100 that is included in the terminal apparatus 200. The printer driver202 is an interface that possibly runs on the OS of the terminalapparatus 200. The printer driver 202 is stored in the memory of theterminal apparatus 200. A processor of the terminal apparatus 200 runaccording to the printer driver 202, and thus functions of the printerdriver 202 are realized that include processing which generates theprinting data.

The first printer 100A receives the printing data from the terminalapparatus 200 and performs the processing that interprets a printinglanguage in the processing section 110, and then accumulates a result ofthe interpretation processing in the storage section 130 (S204).

Furthermore, the terminal apparatus 200 retains the printing image dataand the identification information on the printing job in a job pool 203of its own (S205). The job pool 203 is a memory of the terminalapparatus 200. The job pool 203 and the spool 204 may be the same memoryand may be different memories.

In FIG. 4, any of information that is accumulated in the job pool 203 ofthe terminal apparatus 200 and information that is stored in the storagesection 130 of the first printer 100A corresponds to the printing job.The printing job, as illustrated in FIG. 4, include the identificationinformation on the printing job, the printing setting information, andthe printing image data. The inclusion of the identification informationmakes suitable processing possible without confusion among the printingjobs in the terminal apparatus 200 and each printing apparatus 100.Furthermore, the printing image data is information for specifying animage that is a target to be printed. The printing setting informationincludes pieces of information on a size of a printing paper sheet, acolor/monochrome setting, a duplex/single printing setting, and thelike. Furthermore, the printing setting information, as will bedescribed below in the second embodiment, may include informationrelating to other settings. The inclusion of the printing settinginformation and the printing image data in the printing job makes itpossible to print a desired image using a desired setting.

Furthermore, the printing job stored in the first printer 100A that is adifferent printing apparatus 100 includes information for specifying theterminal apparatus 200 that is the transmission source of the printingjob. The information for specifying the terminal apparatus 200, forexample, is a transmission source address that refers to an address ofthe terminal apparatus 200 that is the transmission source of theprinting job. The transmission source address is an Internet Protocoladdress (IP address) of the terminal apparatus 200 in a narrow sense,but a different address such as a MAC address may be used. Furthermore,the information for specifying the terminal apparatus 200 is not limitedto an address, and a different information peculiar to the apparatus maybe used. The inclusion in the printing job of the information forspecifying terminal apparatus 200 that is a transmission source makes itpossible for the printing apparatus 100 on the printing performing sideto select the terminal apparatus 200 as the acquisition destination ofthe printing job. For example, when the second printer 100B determinesthe printing job accumulated in the first printer 100A as anexecution-target job, it is possible that the execution-target job isacquired from the terminal apparatus 200.

Furthermore, the printing job stored in the first printer 100A that is adifferent printing apparatus 100 includes the user information forspecifying the user who creates the printing job. The inclusion of theuser information in the printing job makes the authentication printingand can suppress the carrying-away or mistaking of the result of theprinting. The user information, for example, is information that isadded when the printing data is generated by the printer driver 202.

2.3 Displaying of Job Selection Screen and Making Selection

Processing that acquires the information relating to the printing jobillustrated in S102 in FIG. 3 and processing that displays the jobselection screen are described in detail. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagramfor describing the processing that acquires the information relating tothe printing job and the processing that displays the job selectionscreen. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for describing a flow for theprocessing.

The user performs the log-in operation in the second printer 100B thatis the printing apparatus 100 that is desired to perform printing(S301). For example, the log-in operation in S301, as described above,is an authentication operation of shading the card reader with theauthentication card.

The second printer 100B makes an inquiry to the first printer 100A, thethird printer 100C, the fourth printer 100D, and the fifth printer 100E,which are the printing apparatuses 100 that share the printing job, asto whether or not the printing job of the user who logs in is present.In a broad sense, the printing apparatus 100 to which the user logs inmakes an inquiry to a printing apparatus 100 other than the printingapparatus 100 itself, which is included in a group that shares theprinting job (S302). The processing in S302, the second printer 100Bmakes an inquiry, with the user information indicating the user who logsin being set as a keyword.

When a printing job of a target user is accumulated, each printer otherthan the second printer 100B replies with the information relating tothe printing job (S303). Specifically, the user information is acquiredfrom the second printer 100B, and, when user information included in aprinting job is determined as being the same as the acquired userinformation, information relating to such a printing job is transmittedas a response. It is noted that in the processing in S303, when eachprinter other than the second printer 100B replies with the printing jobincluding the printing image data, a load on each printer increases.Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the processing in S303, thesecond printer 100B acquires data that results from excluding at leastthe printing image data from the printing job.

Specifically, because there is a need to uniquely identify the printingjob, the second printer 100B acquires the identification information onthe printing job. Furthermore, the second printer 100B assumes a casewhere the printing job is acquired from the terminal apparatus 200 thatis a transmission source, and acquires a transmission source address. Inthe second embodiment that will be described below, in order todetermine whether or not the printing on each printing job is possiblyperformed, the second printer 100B need to acquire a printing settinginformation. However, in the present embodiment, it is possible that theacquisition of the printing setting information at the time in S303 isomitted. Furthermore, the user information is information that is usedfor user inquiry processing in each printer other than the secondprinter 100B, and the acquisition of the user information is omissiblein the second printer 100B. However, pieces of information relating toall printing jobs may be acquired from a different printer, and inquiryprocessing may be made as to whether the user information is the same inthe second printer 100B. In such a case, the second printer 100B needsto acquire the user information from a different printer.

It is noted that, in the second embodiment that will be described below,in some cases, the second printer 100B makes the third determinationrelating to a data format of the printing image data of each printingjob. For that reason, in the processing in S303, the second printer 100Bis not prevented from acquiring the printing image data of the printingjob. However, considering the load on each printer, it is not preferablethat the second printer 100B acquires all pieces of printing image data.For example, in the processing in S303, the second printer 100B acquiresmetadata indicating the data format of the printing image data, or oneor several pieces of data that are among pieces of printing image data.

Furthermore, the second printer 100B also acquires information on theprinting job from the storage section 130 of its own (S304). This is tosufficiently consider a case where the printing apparatus 100 to whichthe printing job is transmitted from the terminal apparatus 200 and theprinting apparatus 100 to which the user logs in are the same.

After acquiring the information relating to the printing job, the secondprinter 100B displays a screen for the user to select theexecution-target job that is a target to be printed from among theacquired printing jobs, on the display section 150 (S305). That is, theprocessing section 110 of the printing apparatus 100 acquires theinformation relating to the printing job accumulated in the storagesection 130, and the information relating to the printing jobaccumulated in a different printing apparatus 100, and, based on theacquired information, performs processing that displays the jobselection screen on the display section 150. The job selection screen,for example, is a screen on which the acquired printing job is displayedin a list format. However, the job selection screen may be a screen fromwhich one or multiple printing jobs are selectable as theexecution-target job, and is not limited to the screen for displaying ina list format. The displaying of the job selection screen makes itpossible to urge the user to select the execution-target job.

It is noted that the processing section 110 may determine periodicallywhether or not the communication section 120 possibly communicates witha different printing apparatus 100. Then, the processing section 110performs processing that excludes a different printing apparatus 100determined as being incommunicable, as a target from which theinformation relating to the printing job is acquired. If this is done, arequest for the information relating to the printing job can besuppressed from being made to the incommunicable printing apparatus 100.For example, when the request for the acquisition of the informationrelating to the printing job is made to the incommunicable printingapparatus 100, because waiting occurs until a timeout is detected, thereis a concern that the time from when the user logs in S301 to when thejob selection screen is displayed in S305 will be lengthened, therebymaking the user feel stressful. In this respect, the prior checking of astate of each printing apparatus 100 in the background can limit atarget capable of processing in S302 to the communicable printingapparatus 100. Because of this, it is possible that the time from whenthe users logs in to when the job selection screen is displayed isshortened.

2.4 Processing that Acquires and Prints Printing Data

The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment mayacquire the execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200 and mayacquire the execution-target job from a different printing apparatus100. Two types of specific techniques are considered. For example, theprocessing section 110 of the printing apparatus 100 performs processingthat determines from which one of a different printing apparatus 100 andthe terminal apparatus 200 the execution-target job is acquired. In thiscase, the processing section 110 performs processing that acquires theexecution-target job from any one apparatus that is determined.Alternatively, the processing section 110 transmits a request foracquisition of the execution-target job to both a different printingapparatus 100 and terminal apparatus 200. In a technique that performsthe determination processing, because the target from which theinformation relating to the printing job is acquired is one apparatus,there is an advantage of being capable of simplifying the acquisitionprocessing without communication band. On the other hand, for example,although one apparatus is in an incommunicable state, because theprocessing that transmits the acquisition request does not need to waita timeout, there is an advantage of being capable of acquiring theexecution-target job at a high speed. Each of the techniques will bedescribed in detail below.

2.4.1 Transmission of Acquisition Request to any One Apparatus

A technique that performs the processing that determines whether or notto acquire the execution-target job from any one apparatus is described.FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for describing a flow for the printingprocessing in S103 that is performed when performing the determinationprocessing.

First, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100B receives aninput that is selected by the user from the job selection screen. Then,the processing section 110 determines the selected printing job as theexecution-target job (S401). If this is done, it is possible that theexecution-target job is suitably determined using the job selectionscreen.

The processing section 110 performs the processing that determines fromwhich one of the first printer 100A and the terminal apparatus 200 theexecution-target job is acquired (S402). The processing in S402 will bedescribed in detail below with reference to FIG. 11.

When the processing which determines that the execution-target job isacquired from the terminal apparatus 200, the second printer 100Btransmits the request for the acquisition of the execution-target job tothe terminal apparatus 200 (S403), and the terminal apparatus 200replies with the execution-target job (S404).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for describing the processing in each ofS403 and S404. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the second printer 100Bspecifies identification information on the execution-target job that isdetermined based on the job selection screen, and transmits theacquisition request including the identification information to theterminal apparatus 200. A printing data service 206 of the terminalapparatus 200 acquires the printing setting information and the printingimage data, which are associated with the acquired identificationinformation, from the job pool 203. Then, the printing data service 206generates the printing data based on the acquired printing settinginformation and printing image data and transmits the acquired printingdata to the second printer 100B.

At this point, the printing data service 206 is software that possiblyruns on the OS of the terminal apparatus 200. The printing data service206 is stored in the memory of the terminal apparatus 200, and aprocessor of the terminal apparatus 200 operates according to theprinting data service 206. Thus, each function of the printing dataservice 206 that includes the processing that generates the printingdata is realized. The printing data here, for example, is data that isdescribed using a page description language which is interpretable inthe second printer 100B. In terms of generating the printing data,because the printing data service 206 and the printer driver 202 has thesame function, and, because of this, may be realized as the samesoftware. However, whereas the printer driver 202 generates the printingdata based on information from the application software 201, theprinting data service 206 generates the printing data based oninformation from the job pool 203. For that reason, the printing dataservice 206 and the printer driver 202 may be realized as differentpieces of software.

The second printer 100B receives the printing data from the terminalapparatus 200, and performs the processing that interprets the printinglanguage in the processing section 110, then prints a result of theinterpretation processing using the printing section 140, therebyproviding a result of the printing to the user (S407).

As described above, when the execution-target job is acquired from theterminal apparatus 200, it is possible that the printing data matched tothe second printer 100B on the terminal apparatus 200 side is generated.For that reason, although the first printer 100A that first acquires theexecution-target job and the second printer 100B are of different types,it is possible that printing is suitably performed. In other words, theacquisition of the execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200is made possible, and thus it is possible that not only is a reductionin the printing performance suppressed, but cooperation among differenttypes of apparatuses are also made easy.

On the other hand, when the execution-target job is acquired from thefirst printer 100A that is a different printing apparatus 100, thesecond printer 100B transmits the request for the acquisition of theexecution-target job to the first printer 100A (S405), and the terminalapparatus 200 replies with the execution-target job (S406).

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for describing the processing in each ofS405 and S406. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the second printer 100Bspecifies the identification information on the execution-target jobthat is determined based on the job selection screen, and transmits theacquisition request including the identification information to aprinting image transmission processing section 111 of the first printer100A. A printing image transmission processing section 111, for example,is included in the processing section 110 of the first printer 100A. Theprinting image transmission processing section 111 of the first printer100A acquires the printing setting information and the printing imagedata, which are associated with the acquired identification information,from the storage section 130 of its own. Then, the printing imagetransmission processing section 111 transmits the acquired printingsetting information and printing image data to the second printer 100B.

The second printer 100B receives the printing job, which is the printingsetting information and the printing image data, from the first printer100A, and performs the printing one the received printing job, using theprinting section 140, thereby provides a result of the printing to theuser (S407).

As described above, when the execution-target job is acquired from thefirst printer 100A that is a different printing apparatus 100, theexecution-target job is equivalent to a result of the first printer 100Aperforming the interpretation processing on the printing data for thefirst printer 100A. For that reason, when the first printer 100A and thesecond printer 100B are not of the same type of apparatus, in somecases, a desired result of the printing cannot be acquired.

The description is continued with reference again to FIG. 8. When it isdetermined that the printing section 140 completes processing thatperforms printing on the execution-target job, that is, after theprocessing in S407, the processing section 110 of the second printer100B transmits a request for deletion of the execution-target job to thefirst printer 100A that is a different printing apparatus 100, and theterminal apparatus 200 (S408 and S409). The request for the deletion inS408 and S409 is transmitted in a state of being associated with theidentification information on the execution-target job.

The terminal apparatus 200 deletes the printing job associated with thedesignated identification information from the job pool 203.Furthermore, the first printer 100A deletes the printing job associatedwith the designated identification information from the storage section130 of its own. If this is done, when the processing that performsprinting on a given printing job is completed, it is possible that eachapparatus which accumulates the printing job is caused to suitablyperform the deletion of the printing job.

It is noted that in a technique according to the present embodimentfinds application in the printing system 10 that includes the printingapparatus 100 that is, for example, the second printer 100B, a differentprinting apparatus 100 that is, for example, the first printer 100A, andthe terminal apparatus 200. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the printingjob is transmitted to a different printing apparatus 100, the terminalapparatus 200 accumulates the transmitted printing job in a storage unitof the terminal apparatus 200. The storage unit, for example, is the jobpool 203. The information that is accumulated in the job pool 203 andthe printing data that is transmitted to the first printer 100A may havedifferent formats, and in the present embodiment, as described above,any information is expressed as the printing job.

Then, when the terminal apparatus 200 is restarted, the terminalapparatus 200 acquires the information relating to the printing job thatis accumulated by a different printing apparatus 100, from the differentprinting apparatus 100. Then, when a different printing apparatus 100does not accumulate the printing job transmitted from the terminalapparatus 200, the printing job transmitted to the different printingapparatus 100 may be deleted from the storage unit of the terminalapparatus 200.

As described above, there is a probability that the terminal apparatus200 will be powered off or be disconnected form a network, when comparedwith the printing apparatus 100. For that reason, there is a concernthat the terminal apparatus 200 will not receive the deletion requestthat is illustrated in S408. When the printing job, the printing onwhich is completed, cannot be deleted, this is not preferable becausethe terminal apparatus 200 continues to accumulate data that is at ahigh-level necessity, in the job pool 203. In this respect, the terminalapparatus 200 makes an inquiry to the printing apparatus 100 that is atransmission destination of the printing job, at a given timing, andthus it is determined whether or not the printing of the printing job iscompleted. If the printing job is deleted from the printing apparatus100, because it can be determined that the printing of the printing jobis completed, the terminal apparatus 200 deletes the printing job fromthe job pool 203 of its own. It is noted that, because a case isconsidered as a typical situation where the deletion request cannot bereceived, when the terminal apparatus 200 is restarted, by making aninquiry to the printing apparatus 100, it can be determined whether ornot the printing job is deleted at a suitable timing. Furthermore, theterminal apparatus 200 has a high probability of being periodicallyrestarted, and the deletion determination is made at the time of therestarting. Thus, it is possible that the job, the printing on which iscompleted, is suppressed from being left undeleted for a long period oftime.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing processing by the second printer100B, which corresponds to S402 to S409 in FIG. 8. When this processingis started, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100Bdetermined whether or not the execution-target job is the printing jobthat is accumulated in the storage section 130 of its own (S501). Whenthe result is Yes in S501, the user performs the printing operation inthe printing apparatus 100 that transmits the printing job. Because thesecond printer 100B does not need to acquire the execution-target jobfrom a different apparatus, and, because of this, acquires theexecution-target job from the storage section 130 of its own andperforms the printing on the acquired execution-target job (S502).Thereafter, the processing section 110 deletes the execution-target jobfrom the storage section 130 (S503). Furthermore, the request for thedeletion of the corresponding printing job is transmitted to theterminal apparatus 200 that is a transmission source of theexecution-target job (S512) and the processing is ended.

When the result is No in S501, the processing section 110 of the secondprinter 100B determines whether or not the execution-target job isacquirable from a different printing apparatus 100 (S504). At thispoint, the first printer 100A is assumed to be a different printingapparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the determination in S504 is adetermination of whether or not the first printer 100A and the secondprinter 100B are of the same type of apparatus. When the two printersare of the same type of apparatus, the processing section 110 of thesecond printer 100B determines that the printing on the printing jobaccumulated in the first printer 100A is possibly performed in theprinting section 140 of its own.

When it is determined that it is possible that the execution-target jobis acquired from the first printer 100A and that the printing on theacquired execution-target job is performed (Yes in S504), the processingsection 110 of the second printer 100B acquires information indicatingthe transfer ability of the first printer 100A (S505). The transferability may be replaced with the ability to supply the printing job. Theinformation indicating the transfer ability is specifically a parameterindicating a transfer speed at which the first printer 100A transfersthe printing job to the second printer 100B. The transfer speed of thefirst printer 100A is determined based on various factors, such as amaximum communication speed of the first printer 100A, a communicationspeed at which the first printer 100A already performs communicationwith an apparatus other than the second printer 100B, a speed at whichdata is read from the storage section 130 of the first printer 100A, anda processing speed of the processing section 110 of the first printer100A. The first printer 100A acquires parameters indicating these, and,based on the parameters, computes a parameter indicating an estimatedspeed at which the execution-target job is transferred from the firstprinter 100A to the second printer 100B. Alternatively, the estimatedtransfer speed may be computed on the first printer 100A side, and thesecond printer 100B may acquire a parameter indicating a result of thecomputation.

Furthermore, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100Bacquires a parameter indicating a printing speed of the printing section140 of its own. The parameter indicating the printing speed isinformation indicating a size of data that is printable per unit timeand, for example, is a maximum printing speed that is determined as aspecification. Then, the processing section 110 performs the processingthat determines from which one of a different printing apparatus 100 andthe terminal apparatus 200 the execution-target job is acquired, basedon a parameter indicating a speed at which the printing on theexecution-target job is performed by the printing section 140 and on aparameter indicating a speed at which the execution-target job istransferred by the different printing apparatus 100. If this is done,based on the ability of each printing apparatus 100, it is possible thatan apparatus that makes a request for the acquisition of theexecution-target job is determined.

Specifically, it is determined whether or not speed for transfer fromfirst printer 100A<printing speed of second printer 100B (S506). Whenthe result in S506 is No, a speed at which the execution-target job istransferred from the first printer 100A is not a bottleneck forprinting, and it is possible that the printing performance of the secondprinter 100B is sufficiently brought into play. Consequently, theprocessing section 110 acquires the execution-target job from the firstprinter 100A and performs the printing on the acquired execution-targetjob (S507).

After the printing is completed, the processing section 110 transmitsthe request for the deletion of the execution-target job to each of thefirst printer 100A and the terminal apparatus 200 (S511 and S512), andthen the processing is ended.

When the printing on the execution-target job accumulated in the firstprinter 100A cannot be performed in the second printer 100B due to adifference in a type of apparatus (No in S504), the processing section110 acquires the execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200and performs the printing on the acquired execution-target job (S508).When the printing performance decreases due to a primary cause, that is,the speed for the transfer from the first printer 100A (Yes in S506), inthe same manner, the processing section 110 also acquires theexecution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200 and performs theprinting on the acquired execution-target job.

However, when making a request for the execution-target job, in somecases, the terminal apparatus 200 is powered off or is disconnected froma network. Alternatively, there is a concern that the terminal apparatus200 will be powered off at a stage where the transfer of theexecution-target job is in progress or will be disconnected from anetwork. Consequently, when the processing in S508 is performed, theprocessing section 110 determines whether or not all execution-targetjobs can be normally received or whether or not a communication erroroccurs (S509). When the communication error does not occur (No in S509),because the printing is normally completed, the processing section 110transmits the request for the deletion of the printing job to the firstprinter 100A and the terminal apparatus 200 (S511 and S512) and ends theprocessing.

When the communication error occurs (Yes in S509), the processingsection 110 determines whether or not the printing on theexecution-target job accumulated in the first printer 100A is possiblyperformed in the printing section 140 of its own (S510). In thedetermination in S510, the result of the determination in S504 is alsousable. When it is determined that the printing is possibly performed(Yes in S510), the processing section 110 acquires the execution-targetjob from the first printer 100A and performs the printing on theacquired execution-target job (S507). When it is determined that theprinting can be performed (No in S510), because no apparatus cansuitably acquire the execution-target job, the processing is ended in anabnormal mode due to the communication error.

As described above, the processing section 110 of the second printer100B determines whether or not the execution-target job is acquirablefrom the terminal apparatus 200, and, when it is determined that theexecution-target job cannot be acquired, acquires the execution-targetjob from the first printer 100A that is a different printing apparatus100. Specifically, the result of the determination in S509 and S510 isYes, and thus processing to processing to S507 takes place. If this isdone, when an execution-target job cannot be acquired from the terminalapparatus 200, it is also possible that the processing that performs theprinting on the execution-target job is continued.

Furthermore, when it is determined that the execution-target job cannotbe acquired from the first printer 100A that is a different printingapparatus 100, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100Bperforms error processing. Specifically, when the result of thedetermination in S510 is No, the processing is ended in the abnormalmode. If this is done, when the execution-target job cannot be acquiredfrom any one of the first printer 100A and the terminal apparatus 200,it is possible that the error processing is suitably performed. It isnoted that the error processing is processing that reports the detail ofan error to the user, but no limitation to this is imposed. For example,the error processing may be reporting processing that urges the user toperforms printing in other printing apparatus 100, such as the thirdprinter 100C to the fifth printer 100E. However, as illustrated in S504and S510, the printing apparatus 100 that provides an instruction toperform printing needs to be of the same type of apparatus as the firstprinter 100A. Consequently, it is desirable that the error processinghere is set to be the reporting processing that urges the user toperform printing in an apparatus that is the same in type as the firstprinter 100A. The reporting processing may display a text message“Please perform printing in an apparatus that is the same in type as thefirst printer 100A”. Alternatively, the reporting processing may displaya text message “Please perform printing in a x-th printer”, whichspecifies a specific printing apparatus 100. Furthermore, the reportingprocessing is not limited to the displaying of the text message, andvarious modification implementations are possible.

Furthermore, as described above, at a timing in S504, it is determinedwhether or not the printing on the printing job accumulated in the firstprinter 100A is possibly performed by the printing section 140 of thesecond printer 100B, that is, whether or not the first printer 100A andthe second printer 100B are of the same type of apparatus. However, theflow for the processing is not limited to this. For example, when thejob selection screen is displayed, the second printer 100B may determinewhether or not each printing apparatus and the second printer 100B areof the same type of apparatus. Then, the second printer 100B sets onlythe information relating to the printing job acquired from the printingapparatus 100 that is the same in type as the second printer 100B, whichare among pieces of information relating to the collected printing jobs,to be a target for displaying on the job selection screen. If this isdone, the job selection screen selected from the execution-target job islimited to the printing job, the printing on which is possible in theprinting section 140 of the second printer 100B. In this case, StepsS504 and S510 are omitted from the flowchart in FIG. 11. When the resultof the determination in S501 is No, the processing in S505 is performed.When the result of the determination in S509 is Yes, the processing inS507 is performed.

2.4.2 Transmission of Acquisition Requirement to Both Apparatuses

Next, a technique in which the processing section 110 of the secondprinter 100B transmits the request for the acquisition of theexecution-target job to both the first printer 100A and the terminalapparatus 200. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for describing the flow forthe printing processing in S103 when the request for the acquisition ofthe execution-target job is transmitted to both the first printer 100Aand the terminal apparatus 200.

First, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100B receives aninput that is selected by the user from the job selection screen. Then,the processing section 110 determines the selected printing job as theexecution-target job (S601).

The processing section 110 determines whether or not the printing on theprinting job accumulated in the first printer 100A is possibly performedin the printing section 140 of its own (S602). In the same manner as inS504, this processing determines whether or not the first printer 100Aand the second printer 100B are of the same type of apparatus.

When it is determined that the printing cannot be performed, theacquisition of the execution-target job from the first printer 100A ismeaningless. The second printer 100B transmits the request for theacquisition of the execution-target job to the terminal apparatus 200(S603) and the terminal apparatus 200 replies with the execution-targetjob (S604). The processing in S603 and S604 is as illustrated in S403and S404 in FIG. 8 and illustrated in FIG. 9. It is noted that, althoughomitted from FIG. 12, when the communication with the terminal apparatus200 is in error, the second printer 100B performs the error processing.Furthermore, S611 to S613 that are processing operations that are to beperformed after acquiring the execution-target job are the same as S407to S409 in FIG. 8.

When the printing is possibly performed, the second printer 100Btransmits the request for the acquisition of the execution-target job toboth the terminal apparatus 200 and the first printer 100A (S605 andS606). When the terminal apparatus 200 normally receives the acquisitionrequest, as illustrated in FIG. 9, processing that reads informationfrom the job pool 203, the processing that generates the printing data,and processing that performs transmission to the second printer 100B areperformed. When the first printer 100A normally receives the acquisitionrequest, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the processing that readsinformation in the storage section 130 and the processing that performsthe transmission to the second printer 100B.

However, the information that is transmitted from the terminal apparatus200 and the information that is transmitted from the first printer 100Aare pieces of information that may be different in data format from eachother, but indicate the same printing job. For that reason, when thesecond printer 100B continues to acquire the execution-target job fromboth apparatuses, redundant pieces of data occur. This redundancy isinefficient. Furthermore, the execution-target job continues to beacquired from the first printer 100A, and thus a load on the firstprinter 100A increases.

Consequently, when the terminal apparatus 200 starts to transfer theexecution-target job (S607), the processing section 110 of the secondprinter 100B stops the processing that acquires the execution-target jobfrom the first printer 100A that is a different printing apparatus 100(S608). If this is done, the execution-target job can be suppressed frombeing acquired in a redundant manner. On that occasion, the interruptionof communication with the first printer 100A makes it possible toacquire the execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200 thathas a high transfer capability.

On the other hand, when the execution-target job cannot be acquired fromthe terminal apparatus 200, a timeout occurs in communication betweenthe second printer 100B and the terminal apparatus 200, and acommunication error is returned to the communication section 120 of thesecond printer 100B (S610). In this case, the execution-target jobcontinues to be acquired from the first printer 100A. Specifically, thesecond printer 100B acquires the execution-target job that is theprinting setting information and the printing image data, from the firstprinter 100A (S609). The processing in S606 and S609 is as illustratedin S405 and S406 in FIG. 8 and illustrated in FIG. 10. S611 to S613 thatare processing operations that are to be performed after acquiring theexecution-target job are the same as S407 to S409 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for describing processing by the second printer100B, which corresponds to S602 to S613 in FIG. 12. Processing in S701to S704 is the same as that in S501 to S504 in FIG. 11.

When it is determined that it is possible that the execution-target jobis acquired from the first printer 100A and the printing on the acquiredexecution-target job is performed (Yes in S704), the processing section110 of the second printer 100B transmits the request for the acquisitionof the printing job to both the first printer 100A and terminalapparatus 200 (S705). After the processing in S705, the second printer100B determines whether or not the execution-target job starts to beacquired from the terminal apparatus 200 (S706).

When the result in S706 is Yes, in order to avoid acquiring theexecution-target job in a redundant manner, and in order to reduce theload on the first printer 100A, the second printer 100B releases aconnection to the first printer 100A (S707). That is, the first printer100A acquires the execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200and performs the printing on the acquired execution-target job (S708).

In S708, the execution-target job starts to be acquired from theterminal apparatus 200, but it is not ensured that the connection to theterminal apparatus 200 is maintained until the acquis ion of theexecution-target job is completed. Consequently, the processing section110 determines whether or not the communication error occurs during aduration that ends until the reception of the execution-target job iscompleted (S709).

When the result in S709 is No, in order to normally complete theacquisition of the execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200and the performing of the printing on the acquired execution-target job,the second printer 100B transmits the request for the deletion of theexecution-target job to the first printer 100A and the terminalapparatus 200 (S713 and S714) and ends the processing.

When the result in S709 is Yes, it is determined that the acquisition ofthe execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200 is not ended ina normal mode. When the transfer of the execution-target job by theterminal apparatus 200 is in error, the processing section 110 of thesecond printer 100B transmits the request for the acquisition of theexecution-target job to the first printer 100A that is a differentprinting apparatus 100 (S710). If this is done, when the communicationwith the terminal apparatus 200 is in error while the acquisition of theexecution-target job is in progress, it is also possible that theexecution-target job continues to be acquired.

When the result in S706 is No, or when the processing in S710 isperformed, the second printer 100B completes the acquisition of theexecution-target job from the first printer 100A and performs theprinting on the acquired execution-target job (S711). After performingthe printing, the second printer 100B transmits the request for thedeletion of the execution-target job to the first printer 100A and theterminal apparatus 200 (S713 and S714), and then ends the processing.

When it is determined that it is not possible that the acquisition ofthe execution-target job from the first printer 100A and that theprinting on the acquired execution-target job is performed (No in S704),the processing section 110 acquires the execution-target job from theterminal apparatus 200 and performs the printing on the acquiredexecution-target job (S712). After performing the printing, the secondprinter 100B transmits the request for the deletion of theexecution-target job to the first printer 100A and the terminalapparatus 200 (S713 and S714), and then ends the processing.

It is noted that, when in S710, a request is made to the first printer100A for the execution-target job, it is assumed that up to pieces ofdata in the execution-target job are acquired from the terminalapparatus 200. For that reason, when the acquisition of theexecution-target job from the first printer 100A starts from a head ofthe data, redundancy occurs in the execution-target job that isreceived. Consequently, when the transfer of the execution-target job bythe terminal apparatus 200 is in error, the processing section 110 ofthe second printer 100B may transmit a request for acquisition ofinformation that is not completely received from the terminal apparatus,in the execution-target job, to the first printer 100A that is adifferent printing apparatus 100. For example, the second printer 100Bmakes a request to the first printer 100A for data subsequent to thedata that is completely acquired from the terminal apparatus 200. Ifthis is done, it is possible that redundant pieces of data aresuppressed and thus that efficient communication is realized.

3. Second Embodiment

As described above, when the first printer 100A and the second printer100B are of the same type of apparatus, the printing on the printing jobaccumulated in the first printer 100A is possibly performed in theprinting section 140 of the second printer 100B. On the other hand, whenthe first printer 100A and the second printer 100B are of differenttypes of apparatuses, there is a likelihood that the printing on theprinting job accumulated in the first printer 100A will not be performedin the printing section 140 of the second printer 100B. However, in somecases, it is possible that the printing job is also shared betweendifferent type of apparatuses. For that reason, the prohibition of thesharing of the printing job in the same manner between different typesof apparatuses is an excessive precaution, and there is a concern thatthe user convenience will be reduced.

Even when a different printing apparatus 100 is of a different type ofapparatus, the processing section 110 of the printing apparatus 100according to the present embodiment acquires the printing jobaccumulated in the different printing apparatus 100 from the differentprinting apparatus 100, under the condition that, based on the firstdetermination to the third determination, it is determined that theprinting is possibly performed, and causes the printing section 140 toperform the printing on the acquired printing job. If this is done, itcan be suitably determined whether or not the execution-target job isacquired from a different printing apparatus 100. For that reason, it ispossible that both suppression of unsuitable printing and an improvementin convenience are both achieved compatibly. It is noted that one or twodeterminations that are among the first determination to the thirddetermination may be omitted and that a different determination may beadded. Specific processing that includes determination processing willbe described below.

It is noted that in the present embodiment, a configuration in which theexecution-target job is acquired from the terminal apparatus 200 is nota requirement. Consequently, an example is described here in which theexecution-target job is acquired from other printing apparatus 100, morespecifically, the first printer 100A.

3.1 Printing Processing

A flow for processing in the second embodiment is the same as in FIG. 3.Furthermore, processing in S101 and S102 is also as described above withreference to FIGS. 4 to 7. However, in the present embodiment, it is notassumed that the execution-target job is acquired from the terminalapparatus 200. For that reason, in the processing in S102, theacquisition of a transmission source address by the second printer 100Bfrom a different printing apparatus 100 is not a requirement. On theother hand, as will be described below with reference to FIG. 15, insome cases, the second printer 100B makes the first determinationrelating to a printing setting in determining whether or not it ispossible that printing is performed. In such a case, the second printer100B needs to acquire the printing setting information from a differentprinting apparatus 100. Furthermore, in a technique according to thepresent embodiment, the detail of the processing in S103 is differentfrom that in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for describing the printing processing in thesecond embodiment. First, the second printer 100B receives an input,that is, the execution-target job that is selected using the jobselection screen (S801). It is assumed here that the printing jobaccumulated in the first printer 100A is selected as theexecution-target job. In the present embodiment, it is considered thatthe execution-target job from the terminal apparatus 200 is acquired.Consequently, the second printer 100B determines whether or not theprinting on the execution-target job accumulated in the first printer100A is possibly performed in the printing section 140 of its own(S802).

When it is determined that the printing is possibly performed (Yes inS802), the second printer 100B acquires the execution-target job fromthe first printer 100A and performs the printing on the acquiredexecution-target job (S803). The second printer 100B transmits therequest for the deletion of the execution-target job to the firstprinter 100A (S804) and then ends the processing in the normal mode.When it is determined that the printing cannot be performed (No inS802), the second printer 100B performs the error processing and thenends the processing in the abnormal mode. For example, when it isdetermined that the printing on the printing job accumulated in adifferent printing apparatus 100 cannot be performed, the processingsection 110 of the second printer 100B performs the reporting processingthat provides a suggestion to perform the printing on the printing jobin the printing apparatus 100 that is the same in type as the differentprinting apparatus 100.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for describing processing in S802 in the presentembodiment. When this processing is started, the second printer 100Bdetermines whether or not the first printer 100A and the second printer100B are of the same type of apparatus (S901). When the two printers areof the same type of apparatus (Yes in S901), the second printer 100Bdetermines that the printing on the printing job is possibly performedin the first printer 100A. In a technique according to the presentembodiment, when the result of the determination in S901 is No, it isnot immediately determined that the printing can be performed, and,depending on the conditions, there is room for determination that theprinting is possibly performed.

In an example in FIG. 15, first, the second printer 100B makes the thirddetermination in which the data format of the printing image data isdetermined (S902). For example, as the printing apparatuses 100, thereare a type of apparatus that expresses the printing image data using bitmap data that is a combination of pixel values of Red, Green, and Blue(RGB) and a type of apparatus that expresses the printing image datausing bit map data that is a combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow(CMY). It is noted that actual printing image data may be data thatresults from performing compression processing on the bit map data.There is no compatibility between an RGB format and a CMY format. A typeof apparatus that supports one format, although it acquires the printingimage data in the other format, cannot performs desired printingprocessing.

Furthermore, as the printing apparatus 100, there is a type of apparatusthat uses data representing a paper sheet feeding command instead of thebit map data, for a white area, that is, an area where a color of aprinting paper sheet is usable as is. On the other hand, as the printingapparatus 100, there is a type of apparatus that needs the bit map dataeven for the white area without following the paper sheet feedingcommand. A type of apparatus that follows the paper sheet feedingcommand, for example, is a serial ink jet printer. A type of apparatusthat does not follow the paper sheet feeding command, for example, is aline ink jet printer or a laser printer. When the paper sheet feedingcommand is included in the printing image data accumulated by the firstprinter 100A and where the second printer 100B is a type of apparatusthat does not follow the paper sheet feeding command, desired printingprocessing can be performed.

The second printer 100B determines whether or not there is compatibilitybetween the data format of the printing image data in the first printer100A in S902 and the data format of the printing image data in thesecond printer 100B. When there is no compatibility (No in S902), thesecond printer 100B determines that the printing on the printing job inthe first printer 100A can be performed. It is noted that, whendetermining the compatibility of the printing image data, it is notpreferable that the entire printing image data is acquired.Consequently, the second printer 100B acquires information that possiblyspecifies the data format of the printing image, as the informationrelating to the printing job, in the processing in S102. The informationthat possibly specifies the data format, for example, may be informationsuch as a header and may be information that results from (selecting)one portion of the printing image data.

When it is determined that the compatibility is ensured (Yes in S902),the second printer 100B makes the first determination of the printingjob accumulated in the first printer 100A includes the printing settingthat is dependent on the type of apparatus (S903). Specifically, theprocessing section 110 of the second printer 100B determines that it isdetermined that the printing is performed, under the condition that itis determined that the printing job does not include the printingsetting that is dependent on the type of apparatus. That is, when theprinting job includes the printing setting that is dependent on the typeof apparatus (Yes in S903), the second printer 100B determines that theprinting on the printing job in the first printer 100A cannot beperformed.

At this point, the printing setting that is dependent on the type ofapparatus includes at least one of a setting of a type of printing papersheet and a setting relating to special printing. The type of papersheet for printing is information indicating a size and material of theprinting paper sheet. For example, the printing apparatus 100 thatpossibly performs printing for a A4 size or smaller cannot suitablyperform the printing on the printing job that designates a A3 size.Furthermore, the printing apparatuses 100 are different in terms ofwhether or not to print a photographic paper sheet, whether or not toprint a CD label, or the like. The second printer 100B acquires printingsetting information as the information relating to the printing job,from the first printer 100A, and compares a type of printing paper sheetthat is included in the printing setting information and a type ofprinting paper sheet, printing on which is supported by the secondprinter 100B itself. when the type of printing paper sheet that isindicated by the printing setting information is a type of printingpaper sheet, printing on which is possibly not supported, the secondprinter 100B determines that the printing setting that is dependent onthe type of apparatus is included. That is, the result in S903 is Yes,and it is determined that the printing on the printing job in the firstprinter 100A cannot be performed.

Furthermore, the special printing, for example is printing in which anamount of ink to be discharged is adjusted according to an area of anoriginal document. As the special printing, for example, a bar codeprinting is considered. In order to accurately read a bar code printedon a printing medium, there is a need to suppress bleeding of a bar codeportion. Consequently, particularly in an ink jet printer, an amount ofink that to be discharged on a portion on which a bar code is printed issuppressed. However, specific control to suppress an amount of inkchanges according to a mechanical configuration of the printingapparatus 100, a property of ink that fills the printing apparatus 100,and the like. That is, when a setting of a bar code printing in a givenapparatus is also used in a different apparatus, desired printingprocessing cannot be performed.

Furthermore, as the special printing, watermark printing is considered.The watermark printing is a mode in which watermark is printed on abackground portion, for example, when printing an original document thatis an original. The watermark is arbitrary information, such as text,and, for example, is printed in a low-visibility state in the original.when the original is copied, the watermark is printed in ahigh-visibility state on a resulting copy. The printing of the watermarkis realized by printing minute points different in size or density on abackground area. For that reason, on a portion in which the watermark isburied, the printing apparatus 100 performs discharging of ink in adifferent state than for a letter or an image as usual. In this case,because desirable ink discharging control also differs according to atype of the printing apparatus 100, when a setting of the watermark in agiven type of apparatus is also used in another type of apparatus,desired printing processing cannot be performed.

When the printing job in the first printer 100A includes a settingrelating to a special printing, although the second printer 100Bsupports the special printing, as long as the printers are of differenttypes of apparatuses, the printing on the printing job is difficult toperform in the second printer 100B. Consequently, when the printingsetting information includes a setting for performing special printing,the second printer 100B determines that the printing setting that isdependent on the type of apparatus is included. That is, the result inS903 is Yes, and it is determined that the printing on the printing jobin the first printer 100A cannot be performed. If this is done,considering a type of printing paper sheet and special printing, it isdetermined whether or not the printing on the printing job is possiblyperformed.

Alternatively, the printing setting that is dependent on the type ofapparatus may be retained by a different printing apparatus 100 and maybe a setting relating to a hardware resource that is not retained by theprinting apparatus 100 itself. The hardware resource here, for example,is a finisher. The finisher is hardware that has a function in whichmultiple original documents that are results of the printing are puttogether using a staple, a function of making a punched hole in theoriginal document, a function of bending the original document, and thelike. Although a setting for using the finisher is set to be in theprinting setting, if the finisher is not mounted in the second printer100B, staple processing and the like cannot be performed. Consequently,when a setting for using a hardware resource that is not retained by thesecond printer 100B is included in the printing setting information, thesecond printer 100B determines that the printing setting that isdependent to the type of apparatus is included. That is, the result inS903 is Yes, and it is determined that the printing on the printing jobin the first printer 100A cannot be performed. If this is done, it ispossible that, considering a hardware configuration of the printingapparatus 100, it is determined whether or not the printing on theprinting job is possibly performed.

When it is determined that the printing setting that is dependent on thetype of apparatus is not include (No in S903), the second printer 100Bmakes the second determination relating to the processing that rotates aprinting image. As a paper sheet feeding direction in the printingapparatus 100, there are long edge feed (LEF) that is present adirection in which a long side of a printing paper sheet is positionedin a manner that is normal to a transportation direction and short edgefeed (SEF) that is a direction in which a short side of the printingpaper sheet is positioned in a manner that is normal to thetransportation direction. As the printing apparatus 100, there ispresent a type of apparatus that does not support only one of the LEFand SEF. The LEF and the SEF are different in the order in which pixelsof the printing image data are printed. For that reason, when theprinting on the printing job for which the SEF is set is performed in atype of apparatus that supports the LEF, or when the printing on theprinting job for which the LEF is set is performed in a type ofapparatus that supports the SEF, there is a need for the processing thatrotates the printing image data by 90 degrees.

Thus, the second printer 100B first compares a feeding direction that isincluded in the printing setting information in the execution-target joband a feeding direction that is supported by the second printer 100Bitself, and thus determines whether or not there is a need for theprocessing that rotates the printing image data (S904). When therotation processing is unnecessary (No in S904), the second printer 100Bdetermines that the printing on the printing job in the first printer100A is possibly performed in the printing section 140 of its own.

When the rotation processing is necessary (Yes in S904), the secondprinter 100B determines whether or not it is possible that theprocessing that rotates the printing image data in the execution-targetjob is performed (S905). When the processing section 110 of the secondprinter 100B does not originally support the rotation processing, it isdetermined that the rotation processing cannot be performed.Furthermore, in order to perform the rotation processing, temporarily,there is a need to accumulate the entire printing image data in theexecution-target job in a memory, such as a RAM, that is included in thesecond printer 100B. When an amount of available space capacity of theRAM is small for a data size of the printing image data, it isdetermined that the rotation processing cannot be performed. When therotation processing is possible (Yes in S905), the second printer 100Bdetermines that the printing on the printing job in the first printer100A is possibly performed in the printing section 140 of its own.

As described above, the processing section 110 of the second printer100B determines that the printing is possibly performed, under thecondition that the processing that rotates the printing image which is atarget to be printed in the printing job is not necessary (No in S904)or under the condition that the processing that rotates the printingimage is necessary and that it is possible that the rotation processingis performed (Yes in S904 and Yes in S905). If this is done, it ispossible that, considering the processing that rotates the printingimage data, it is determined whether or not the printing on the printingjob is possibly performed.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which the second printer 100B makesthe first determination, the second determination, and the thirddetermination. In this case, it is determined that the printing on theprinting job in the first printer 100A is possibly performed, when acondition that the printing is possibly performed is satisfied in thefirst determination (No in S903), a condition that the printing ispossibly performed is satisfied in the second determination (No in S904or Yes in S905), and a condition that the printing is possibly performedis satisfied in the third determination (Yes in S902). When theconditions are satisfied in all the three determinations, it isdetermined that the printing is possibly performed. Because of this, theorder of the determinations is not limited to an example in FIG. 15.

Furthermore, one or two of the first to third determinations may beomitted. For example, the second printer 100B may omit one of the firstto third determinations, and based on the remaining two determinations,may determine whether or not the printing on the printing job in thefirst printer 100A is possibly performed. In this case, if both theremaining two determinations satisfy the conditions described above, itis also determined that the printing is possibly performed.Alternatively, the second printer 100B may omit two of the first tothird determinations, and based on the remaining one determination, maydetermine whether or not the printing on the printing job in the firstprinter 100A is possibly performed.

The example is described above where the processing section 110 of thesecond printer 100B determines whether or not the printing on theprinting job as a target, which is selected from among the printing jobsthat are accumulated by the first printer 100A that is a differentprinting apparatus 100, is possibly performed. More specifically, theprocessing section 110 of the second printer 100B acquires the printingjob accumulated in the storage section 130 of its own and theinformation relating to the printing job accumulated in a differentprinting apparatus 100, and based on the acquired information, performsprocessing that displays the job selection screen on the display section150. Then, the second printer 100B determines whether or not theprinting on the printing job as a target, which is selected from the jobselection screen is possibly performed (S801 and S802). If this is done,it is possible that the processing is performed that determines astargets one or several printing jobs, which are selected from among theprinting jobs accumulated in a different printing apparatus 100, such asthe first printer 100A. For that reason, it is possible that a loadapplied on the determination processing is reduced. Particularly,because the printing job selected from the job selection screen, thatis, the execution-target job is a printing job, printing on which isdesired by the user, it is possible that a suitable printing job is setto be a target for determination of whether or not the printing ispossibly performed.

However, a timing for making a determination of whether or not theprinting is possibly performed, and the printing job that is a targetfor the determination are not limited to what is described above. Forexample, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100B maydetermine whether or not the printing on the printing job accumulated ina different printing apparatus 100 is possibly performed. Specifically,when acquiring the information relating to the printing job from thefirst printer 100A that is a different printing apparatus 100, and thethird printer 100C to the fifth printer 100E, the second printer 100Bmakes a determination of whether or not printing on each of the acquiredprinting job, as a target, is possibly performed. Specifically, theacquisition of the information relating to the printing job correspondsto the processing that is described above with reference to S102 in FIG.3 and to FIG. 6.

In this case, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100Bperforms the processing that displays the job selection screen on whichthe printing job accumulated in the storage section 130 of its own andthe printing job, the printing on which is determined as being possible,among the printing jobs accumulated in a different printing apparatus100, on the display section 150. Then, the processing section 110 causesthe printing section 140 to perform the printing on the printing jobselected from the job selection screen. If this is done, the printingjob displayed on the job selection screen is acquired from a differentprinting apparatus 100, and then a limitation to the possibility of theprinting in the printing section 140 of the second printer 100B isimposed. The number of the printing jobs that are targets for thedetermination increases, but, after an execution-target job isdetermined, because a case where the printing on the execution-targetjob cannot be performed can be suppressed from occurring, an improvementin convenience is possible.

4. Modification Example

Several modification examples will be described below.

4.1 Combination of First Embodiment and Second Embodiment

A modification implementation that results from combining the firstembodiment and the second embodiment that are described above ispossible. In the first embodiment, the step of determining whether ornot the printing is possibly performed, which is illustrated in S504 andS510 in FIG. 11 is described as the determination of whether or not thefirst printer 100A and the second printer 100B are of the same type ofapparatus. It is possible that the determination step is replaced withthe processing that is described with reference to FIG. 15 in the secondembodiment.

In the present modification example, in the same manner as in the firstembodiment, the processing section 110 of the second printer 100Bdetermines from which one of a different printing apparatus 100 and theterminal apparatus 200 that transmits the printing job to the differentprinting apparatus 100 the printing job accumulated in the differentprinting apparatus 100 is acquired. On that occasion, the second printer100B determines whether or not the printing on the printing jobaccumulated in the first printer 100A is possible in the printingsection 140 of its own, based on the determination of whether or not thesame types of apparatuses are ensured (S901), and at least one of thefirst, second, and third determinations (S902 to S905). Then, when it isdetermined that the printing on the printing job cannot be performed (Noin S504), the second printer 100B acquires the printing job from theterminal apparatus 200 (S508).

If this is done, it is possible that the acquisition destination of theprinting job is flexibly selected from between a different printingapparatus 100 and the terminal apparatus 200, and in addition, it isalso possible that the probability that the printing job will bedetermined as being acquirable from the different printing apparatus 100is increased. That is, because the probability that printing on adesired printing job will be suitably performed is increased, animprovement in user convenience is possible.

4.2 Batch Printing

Furthermore, as illustrated in S102 in FIG. 3, the example is describedabove where the job selection screen is displayed on the display section150 of the second printer 100B and where an input, that is, theexecution-target job that is selected by the user, is received. However,the displaying of the job selection screen and the reception of theinput that is selected are omissible.

Specifically, when acquiring the information relating to the printingjob from a different printing apparatus 100, the second printer 100Bautomatically determines all printing jobs relating to the user who logsin, as the execution-target jobs, and thus performs batch printing onthe execution-target jobs.

With a technique according to the first embodiment, the second printer100B acquires the automatically-determined execution-target job from anyone of the first printer 100A and the terminal apparatus 200 andperforms the processing that performs printing on the acquiredexecution-target job. When multiple printing jobs are selected as theexecution-target jobs, the second printer 100B performs the sameprocessing on each of the execution-target jobs. A specific procedure isthe same as in FIGS. 8 to 13 except that the processing in each of S401and S601 is automated.

Furthermore, with a technique according to the second embodiment, thesecond printer 100B performs the processing that determines whether ornot printing on the automatically-determined execution-target job as atarget is possibly performed according to the flowchart that isillustrated in FIG. 15. Specifically, the processing section 110 of thesecond printer 100B determines whether or not printing on the printingjob accumulated in a different printing apparatus 100 is possiblyperformed. Then, the processing section 110 causes the printing section140 to perform printing on the printing job, printing on which isdetermined as being possibly performed, among the printing jobsaccumulated in a different printing apparatus 100.

As described above, a printing apparatus according to the presentembodiment is a printing apparatus that shares a printing job with adifferent printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes acommunication section that performs communication with a differentprinting apparatus, a processing section that performs control of thecommunication section, a storage section in which the printing job isaccumulated, and a printing section that performs printing based on theprinting job. The processing section determines whether or not theprinting apparatus and a different printing apparatus are of the sametype of apparatus, and, when the same types of apparatuses are notensured, determines whether or not the printing section performs theprinting on the printing job that is accumulated by the differentapparatus, based on at least one determination of the first, second, andthird determinations. The first determination is a determination ofwhether or not the printing job accumulated by a different printingapparatus includes a printing setting that is dependent on a type ofapparatus. The second determination is a determination relating toprocessing that rotates a printing image in the printing job accumulatedby a different printing apparatus. The third determination is adetermination relating to a data format of the printing image in theprinting job accumulated by a different printing apparatus.

When the sharing of the printing job among different types ofapparatuses is approved unconditionally, there is a concern that theprinting processing will not be performed suitably due to differences ina type of apparatus. Furthermore, when the sharing of the printing jobamong different types of apparatuses is prohibited in the same manner,there is a concern that the convenience will decrease. In this respect,using at least one of the first, second, and third determinations, it ispossible that the printing job is shared suitably among different typesof apparatuses.

Furthermore, under the condition that it is determined that the printingis possibly performed, the processing section may acquire the printingjob accumulated in a different printing apparatus from the differentapparatus and may cause the printing session to perform the printing onthe acquired printing job.

If this is done, it is possible that the printing on the printing jobaccumulated in the printing apparatus different in a type of apparatusis performed suitably.

When, based on the first determination, it is determined whether or notthe printing on the printing job is possibly performed, the processingsection may determine that the printing is possibly performed, under thecondition that the printing job does not include the printing settingdependent on a type of apparatus.

If this is done, based on the determination relating to the printingsetting dependent on a type of apparatus, it can be suitably determinedwhether or not the sharing of the printing job among different types ofapparatuses is approved.

Furthermore, the printing setting dependent on a type of apparatus mayinclude at least one of a setting for a type of printing paper sheet anda setting relating to special printing.

If this is done, based on a situation that corresponds to a type ofpaper sheet for printing or to special printing, it can be suitablydetermined whether or not the sharing of the printing job amongdifferent types of apparatuses is approved.

Furthermore, the printing setting dependent on a type of apparatus maybe a setting relating to a hardware resource that is retained by adifferent printing apparatus and is not retained by the printingapparatus itself.

If this is done, based on the hardware resource that is retained by theprinting apparatus, it can be suitably determined whether or not thesharing of the printing job among different types of apparatuses isapproved.

Furthermore, when, based on the second determination, it is determinedwhether or not the printing on the printing job is possibly performed,the processing section may determine that the printing is possiblyperformed, under the condition that there is no need for the processingthat rotates the printing image which is a printing target in theprinting job or under the condition that there is no need for theprocessing that rotates the printing image and that the rotationprocessing is possibly performed.

If this is done, according to a direction that, in the printingapparatus, is set for a printing medium, it can be suitably determinedwhether or not the sharing of the printing job among different types ofapparatuses is approved.

Furthermore, the processing section may determine whether or not theprinting on the printing job, as a target, which is selected from amongthe printing jobs accumulated by a different printing apparatus, ispossibly performed.

If this is done, it is possible that the selected printing job is set tobe the target for the determinization of whether or not the printing ispossibly performed.

Furthermore, the printing apparatus further includes a display section.The processing section may acquire information relating to the printingjob accumulated in the storage section and information relating to theprinting job accumulated in a different printing apparatus, based on theacquired pieces of information, may perform processing that displays ajob selection screen on the display section, and may determine whetheror not the printing job as a target, which is selected from the jobselection screen, is possibly performed.

If this is done, it is possible that the printing on the printing job,which is desired by the user, is suitably set to be the target for thedetermination.

Furthermore, the printing apparatus includes further a display section.The processing section determines whether or not the printing on theprinting job accumulated in a different printing apparatus is possiblyperformed. Then, the processing may perform processing in which the jobselection screen on which, of the printing job accumulated in thestorage section and the printing job accumulated in a different printingapparatus, the printing job, the printing on which is determined asbeing possibly performed, is displayed, is displayed on display section,and may cause the printing section to perform the printing on theprinting job selected from the job selection screen.

If this is done, because the printing job, the printing on which isdetermined as being possibly performed, is displayed on the jobselection screen, it is possible that the probability that the printingon the printing job selected from the job selection screen will benormally performed increases.

Furthermore, the processing section may determine whether or not theprinting job accumulated in a different printing apparatus is possiblyperformed, and may cause the printing section to perform the printing onthe printing job, the printing on which is determined as being possiblyperformed, among the printing jobs accumulated in a different printingapparatus.

If this is done, it is possible that the processing which performs theprinting on the printing job, the printing on which is possiblyperformed, is performed without going through a user's selectionoperation.

Furthermore, when it is determined that the printing on the printing jobaccumulated in a different printing apparatus cannot be performed, theprocessing section may perform the reporting processing that provides asuggestion to perform the printing on the printing job in the printingapparatus that is the same in type as the different printing apparatus.

By performing this reporting, it is possible that the probability thatthe printing on the printing job desired by the user will be normallyperformed increases.

Furthermore, the processing section determines from which one of adifferent printing apparatus and the terminal apparatus that transmitsthe printing job to the different printing apparatus the printing jobaccumulated in the different printing apparatus is acquired, and, whenit is determined that the printing on the printing job cannot beperformed, may acquire the printing job from the terminal apparatus.

In this manner, by flexibly selecting an acquisition destination of theexecution-target job from any one of a different printing apparatus andthe terminal apparatus, it is possible that the convenience is improved.

Furthermore, a printing processing method according to the presentembodiment is a printing processing method in the printing apparatusthat shares the printing job with a different printing apparatus. Theprinting processing method determines whether or not the printingapparatus and a different printing apparatus are of the same type ofapparatus, and, when the same types of apparatuses are not ensured,determines whether or not the printing apparatus performs the printingon the printing job that is accumulated by the different apparatus,based on at least one determination of the first, second, and thirddeterminations. The first determination is a determination of whether ornot the printing job accumulated by a different printing apparatusincludes a printing setting that is dependent on a type of apparatus.The second determination is a determination relating to processing thatrotates a printing image in the printing job accumulated by a differentprinting apparatus. The third determination is a determination relatingto a data format of the printing image in the printing job accumulatedby a different printing apparatus.

It is noted that the present embodiment is described in detail above,but that a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily understandthat many modifications are possible which do not substantially departfrom new matters or effects according to the present disclosure.Therefore, such modification examples are all included within the scopeof the present disclosure. For example, the term that is described atleast one time together with a different term that has a broader meaningor the same meaning, in the specification or the drawings, can bereplaced with such a different term, throughout the specification or thedrawings. Furthermore, all combinations of the present embodiment andthe modification examples are also included in the scope of the presentdisclosure. Furthermore, configurations, operations, and the like of theprinting apparatus, the terminal apparatus, and the printing system arenot limited to those which are described in the present embodiment, andvarious modification implementations are possible.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a processor; anda printing section that performs printing based on a printing job,wherein the processor causes the printing section to perform theprinting on the printing job, the printing on which is determined asbeing configured to be performed by the printing section, among printingjobs accumulated by a different printing apparatus different in a typeof apparatus from the printing apparatus itself, based on at least onedetermination of a first determination of whether or not the printingjob, accumulated by the different printing apparatus, includes aprinting setting dependent on the type of apparatus, a seconddetermination relating to processing that rotates a printing image inthe printing job accumulated by the different printing apparatus, and athird determination relating to a data format of the printing image inthe printing job accumulated by the different printing apparatus.
 2. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein When determining basedon the first determination whether or not the printing on the printingjob is configured to be performed, the processor determines that theprinting is configured to be performed, under the condition that theprinting job does not include the printing setting dependent on the typeof apparatus.
 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe printing setting dependent on the type of apparatus includes atleast one of a setting for a type of printing paper sheet and a settingrelating to special printing.
 4. The printing apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the printing setting dependent on the type of apparatusis a setting relating to a hardware resource that is retained by thedifferent printing apparatus and is not retained by the printingapparatus itself.
 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein when determining based on the second determination whether ornot the printing on the printing job is configured to be performed, theprocessor determines that the printing is configured to be performed,under the condition that there is no need for the processing thatrotates the printing image which is a printing target in the printingjob or under the condition that there is a need for the processing thatrotates the printing image and that the rotation processing isconfigured to be performed.
 6. The printing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the processor determines whether or not the printing on theprinting job, as a target, which is selected from among the printingjobs accumulated by the different printing apparatus, is configured tobe performed.
 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a display section, wherein the processor acquiresinformation relating to the printing job accumulated in the printingapparatus itself, and information relating to the printing jobaccumulated in the different printing apparatus, performs processingthat displays a job selection screen on the display section, based onthe acquired pieces of information, and determines whether or not theprinting on the printing job, as a target, selected from the jobselection screen is configured to be performed.
 8. The printingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display section,wherein the processor determines whether or not the printing on theprinting job accumulated in the different printing apparatus isconfigured to be performed, and the processor performs processing inwhich the job selection screen on which, of the printing job accumulatedin the printing apparatus itself and the printing job accumulated in thedifferent printing apparatus, the printing job, the printing on which isdetermined as being configured to be performed, is displayed, isdisplayed on the display section, and causes the printing section toperform the printing on the printing job selected from the job selectionscreen.
 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprocessor determines whether or not the printing on the printing jobaccumulated in the different printing apparatus is configured to beperformed, and causes the printing section to perform the printing onthe printing job, the printing on which is determined as beingconfigured to be performed, among the printing jobs accumulated in thedifferent printing apparatus.
 10. The printing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein when it is determined that the printing on the printingjob accumulated in the different printing apparatus is not able to beperformed, the processor performs reporting processing that provides asuggestion to perform the printing on the printing job in the printingapparatus that is the same in type as the different printing apparatus.11. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processordetermines from which one of the different printing apparatus and aterminal apparatus that transmits the printing job to the differentprinting apparatus the printing job accumulated in the differentprinting apparatus is acquired, and, when it is determined that theprinting on the printing job is not able to be performed, acquires theprinting job from the terminal apparatus.
 12. A printing processingmethod in a printing apparatus that shares a printing job with adifferent printing apparatus, the method comprising: determining whetheror not the printing job accumulated by the different printing apparatusdifferent in a type of apparatus from the printing apparatus itself isconfigured to be performed by the printing apparatus, based on at leastone determination of a first determination of whether or not theprinting job, accumulated by the different printing apparatus, includesa printing setting dependent on the type of apparatus, a seconddetermination relating to processing that rotates a printing image inthe printing job accumulated by the different printing apparatus, and athird determination relating to a data format of the printing image inthe printing job accumulated by the different printing apparatus; andcausing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on the printingjob, printing on which is determined as configured to be performed.